Picture frame

ABSTRACT

A reusable picture frame for easily and quickly mounting therein an item is made of four frame molding sections joined together at their ends forming a rectangle. At least one pair of the molding sections has opposing grooves therein. A pair of clear plastic sheets are adapted to mount the item therebetween and further adapted it to be flexibly pressed into the opposing grooves to temporarily secure the item within the picture frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to picture frames, and more particularly, to a reusable picture frame that provides for easy and quick mounting of an item therein.

Picture frames are utilized to protectively mount therein for display items such as certificates, diplomas, licenses, pictures, art, and other memorabilia. The insertion and mounting of an item in a picture frame is generally complicated, requires special tools and parts, and skill of the framer to put the framed item together. The frames themselves are usually made of wood but they also can be made of metal or other synthetic material. The frame molding usually comes in stock long sections that are cut to a particular size so that the adjacent ends may be secured together to form a picture frame of molding sections in a general rectangular shape.

Usually at least one matte may be selected that permits the item to be mounted on the backside of the matte. Matting requires especially sharp cutters on a jig arrangement. Thereafter, a backing material is selected. A piece of clean glass is then laid into the backside of the frame and the matted item laid thereon after which the backing material is secured. Clips then secure the glass, matte, item and backing material within the frame. These clips may be placed within the frame material with a tack hammer or may be spring loaded and secured within the frame molding. Occasionally, the matte is omitted if the picture is the same size of the opening within the frame. Thereafter, the back of the frame may be sealed with heavy paper to protect the construction, keep out dust, and to lessen affects of moisture.

There is a need for a picture frame that will accommodate any flat, 2-dimensional, flexible item. The picture frame must assemble in seconds and not be complicated. Also, the picture frame should be reusable for easy change of other items in seconds. Also, it would be desirable for the picture frame to present the item within the frame with the impression of the item floating without matting or backing materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A reusable picture frame for easily and quickly mounting therein an item is made of four frame molding sections joined together at their ends forming a rectangle. At least one pair of the molding sections has opposing grooves therein. A pair of clear plastic sheets are adapted to mount the item therebetween and further adapted it to be flexibly pressed into the opposing grooves to temporarily secure the item within the picture frame.

A principle object and advantage of the present picture frame is its simplicity without complication or need of special hardward, materials, jigs, or special parts typically associated with conventional picture frames.

Another object and advantage of the present invention is that the frame assembles in just seconds with no skill required beyond centering the item to be framed within the clear flexible sheets.

Another object and advantage of the present invention is that the frame may be quickly disassembled by popping the flexible sheets out of one of the opposing grooves and simply changing the item for mounting and simply reassembling.

Another object and advantage of the present invention is that the item mounted within the clear plastic flexible sheets gives the visual impression of floating within the frame which is a unique and attractive mounting arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective general assembly view of the picture frame of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the item to be framed, being sandwiched between two exploded clear plastic sheets.

FIG. 2 a is a side elevational view of the item to be framed actually sandwiched between the two sheets of clear plastic.

FIG. 2 b is a partially broken away side elevational view of the two sheets of plastic with the item therebetween being inserted into the picture frame.

FIG. 2 c is a partially broken away side elevational view of the item and clear plastic sheets mounted within the frame.

FIG. 3 is an end view of a molding section with a round or convex groove.

FIG. 4 is an end view of another molding section with a V-notched groove.

FIG. 5 is an end view of another molding section with a concave groove.

DETAILED SPECIFICATION

The picture frame 10 of the present invention may generally be seen in FIGS. 1-2 c. The picture frame 10 is ideally suited for mounting certificates, licenses, pictures, art Work, memorabilia, and other such items I that are capable of lying flat and exhibiting some flexibility. Generally the picture frame 10 comprises four molding sections 12, 12 a-12 c mounted at their ends into a rectangular structure. Opposing molding sections have facing grooves 13.

With the item I mounted between clear plastic sheets 18 and 20, the sheets 18 and 20 are inserted within one groove 13 a and the sheets 18 and 20 with item I are flexed to insert the opposite edges of sheets 18 and 20 into opposing groove 13 a. Afterwhich, the plastic sheets 18 and 20 are released by the installer as they snap into place within the picture frame 10.

Picture frame 10 may or may not include glass support surfaces 11 in the molding sections, as shown in FIGS. 2 a, 3, 4 and 5. Alternatively as shown in FIG. 1, no glass support surface 11 is present. This means the picture frame 10 of the present invention may be specially constructed or preexisting picture frame molding frame 12 may be modified by placing grooves 13 into the molding sections 12 at the time of the manufacturing of the molding sections 12.

Referring to FIG. 1, picture frame 10 generally includes molding sections 12 which traditionally may be made of metal, wood, or synthetic materials. Molding sections 12 a and 12 b oppose each other as do sections 12 c and 12 d permitting their ends to be secured together, as is known by one skilled in the art, to create the rectangular frame portion of picture frame 10. This construction will receive in a secure manner the clear plastic sheets 18 and 20 mounting the item I.

Further assembly of the picture frame 10 may be appreciated through FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2 c. Initially the flexible clear plastic sheets 18 and 20, such as plexiglass, are separated and optionally a double-sided tape tab 22 is placed centrally on the top of the lower sheet 20. Next the item I is centered on sheet 20 after which sheet 18 is placed in alignment over sheet 20 as shown in FIG. 2 a. With the frame molding sections 12 mounted at their ends having created opening 14, the edges of sheets 18 and 20 with item I are located within rectangular groove 13 a of the picture frame molding section 12 d and flexed upwardly and downwardly so that the opposing edges of sheets 18 and 20 may be located within opposing rectangular groove 13 a within frame section 12 c opposite frame section of 12 d. Immediately thereafter, the flexible plastic sheets 18 and 20 are released to allow the sheets 18 and 20 to snap into opposing grooves 13 a for a full mounting of the item within picture frame 10 as shown in FIG. 2 c.

FIG. 3 shows that round or convex grooves 13 b may be utilized. FIG. 4 shows that v-notched grooves 13 c may be utilized along with various types of molding section shapes 12. FIG. 5 shows another molding section 12 shape with concave groove 13 d.

It can be appreciated that the item I mounted within clear plastic sheets 18 and 20 appear to be floating within the picture frame 10. The clear portions of plastic sheets 18 and 20 outside item I take on the pattern or color of the background wall giving an aesthetic, pleasing view.

It can now be appreciated that the picture frame 10 of the present invention possesses the attributes set forth in the above specification and figures. However, the picture frame 10 can be modified to some extent without departing from the principles outlined and explained above and the present invention should be understood as encompassing all of the modifications as well as being within the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

1. A reusable picture frame for easily and quickly mounting therein a certificate, diploma, license, picture, art piece, or memorabilia, comprising: (a) four frame molding sections each with two ends, the molding sections joined at their ends for forming a rectangle; (b) an opposing pair of the molding sections having opposing grooves therein; and (c) a clear flexible sheet adapted to mount the item thereon flexibly pressed into the opposing grooves to secure the item within the picture frame.
 2. The reusable picture frame of claim 1, further comprising a second pair of the molding sections has opposing grooves therein.
 3. The reusable picture frame of claim 1, further comprising a second clear flexible sheet wherein the item is mounted between the sheets wherein the item is mounted between the sheets and the sheets are flexibly pressed in the opposing grooves.
 4. The reusable picture frame of claim 1 wherein the sheet is made of plastic.
 5. A reusable picture frame for easily and quickly mounting therein an item such as a certificate, diploma, license, picture, art piece, memorabilia or the like, comprising: (a) four frame molding sections each with two ends, the molding sections joined at their ends for forming a rectangle; (b) an opposing pair of the molding sections having opposing grooves therein; and (c) a pair of clear flexible sheets adapted to mount the item therebetween and adapted to be flexibly pressed into the opposing grooves to temporarily secure the item within the picture frame.
 6. The reusable picture frame of claim 1, further comprising a second pair of the molding sections has opposing grooves therein.
 7. The reusable picture frame of claim 1 wherein the sheets are made of plastic.
 8. A reusable picture frame for easily and quickly mounting therein a certificate, diploma, license, picture, art piece, or memorabilia, comprising: (a) four frame molding sections each with two ends, the molding sections joined at their ends for forming a rectangle, the molding sections having opposing grooves therein; and (b) a pair of clear flexible sheets adapted to mount the item therebetween and adapted to be flexibly pressed into the opposing grooves to temporarily secure the item within the picture frame.
 9. A reusable picture frame molding for easily and quickly mounting therein a certificate, diploma, license, picture, art piece, or memorabilia, comprising four frame molding sections joined at their ends having opposing grooves receiving a clear flexible plastic sheet flexibly pressed therein upon which the item may be mounted. 